SCHEER+v.+INDEPENDENT+SCHOOL+DISTRICT+NO+26+OF+OTTAWA+COUNTY

Sandra Crum Alex Mathis

 Scheer v. Independent School District No. 26 of Ottawa County

Summary

Connie Scheer a teacher near the end her third year of teaching signed “a Temporary Certified Employee Contract” for her fourth year. After the school did not rehire her to sued claiming tenure. The questions was when does tenure go into effect. Scheer had completed her third year of teaching and the school administration approached her and offered her a temporary contract for the following year. The refused to offer her a permanent position because they felt she needed improvement. The school board feels like Scheer was not a tenure teacher and did not hold any rights as a tenured teacher.

Holding  The court proved that the school board was wrong in not keeping Scheer as a teacher. Both the school district and the probationary teacher are given three years to evaluate and meet standards. This interpretation not only complies with our statutory scheme, but also furthers one of the purposes of tenure by improving the level of teacher qualification.

Implications Teachers should know their rights just in case there is a chance one may be taking advantage of. There are times in our career that we may run into situations that are very important to know our rights. Especially when our jobs are on the line.

Question Did Scheer make a mistake by signing the contract?